“It's getting ready to buckle down. We've already seen a pretty big increase in customers coming in,” says Jeff Parsons of Dashiell’s Showroom.
Many return to the same spot year after year.
“We have quite a few people come in here all the time that like to hunt in the swamp--lot of big game out there, lot of white-tail and black bear and stuff like that,” says Parsons.
But this year, those hunters will have to find somewhere else to go. The deer hunt at the Great Dismal Swamp was canceled due to the wildfires.
“It's probably a good thing in a way because I'm sure things is tore up back there,” says hunter Marvin Hofler.
According to Chris Lowie, the refuge manager, it wasn’t an easy decision. He says that there are still hot spots smoldering in the swamp. Two of the three entrances that hunters would use are closed and the third still has a lot of downed trees.
“Hunters who have already submitted an application for the great dismal swamp will be getting a refund for this season,” promised Lowie.
Although they won’t be able to hunt again in the Dismal Swamp until next season, Lowie says that it’s not likely that it will have a big impact on the deer population there.
Now that deer hunting season has been cancelled for now, everyone at the refuge is focused on putting out the fire and hunters will just have to find new hunting ground.
“The thing I've learned over the years is if people like to hunt, they'll find somewhere else to go,” says Parsons.
